Thomson combines job opportunities in Augusta with local charm
Located about 30 miles outside of Augusta, Thomson might seem like nothing more than a suburb of the bustling city. While a perk for Thomson’s roughly 6,900 residents is proximity to medical and military jobs in Augusta, they are also finding that the little city of Thomson has a lot to offer at home, including competitive house prices, friendly neighbors and many excellent local restaurants. “Everyone looks out for each other,” says Monica Partlow, a Realtor with HomeSmart Palmer House Properties who sells throughout the state. “And the food is wonderful.”
Military and medical jobs, the yearly Masters Tournament in Augusta
While there are few large businesses in Thomson, nearby Augusta has many job opportunities. Augusta’s five hospitals draw medical professionals, Fort Eisenhower employs military personnel, and the annual Masters Tournament brings in golf fans from across the globe. “Some people stay in Thomson [during the tournament] if there’s no room in Augusta,” Partlow says.
New Traditional and ranch-style homes line quiet residential streets
Residential streets are a mix of rural and suburban, especially in the city’s older sections near Main Street. Homes aren’t so far that neighbors can’t see each other, but lot sizes can run large, sometimes multiple acres. Ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 1970s are the most popular, followed closely by New Traditional styles built after 2020 in subdivisions cropping up on the city’s outskirts. Prices range from $100,000 to $200,000 for homes with two or three bedrooms, and $200,000 to $370,000 for four or five bedrooms. “It’s more affordable than Evans and Grovetown,” Partlow says. “Those cities are a little closer to Augusta, and Thomson is a little more rural, so the prices reflect that.”
Kids attend McDuffie County schools
Three elementary schools serve the city: Maxwell, which rates a B on Niche; Norris, which rates a C-plus; and Thomson, which rates a B-minus. From there, kids head to C-rated Thomson-McDuffie Middle and C-plus-rated Thomson High. Students at Thomas High can join clubs, including a chapter of Future Farmers of America; Generation Unity, which celebrates inclusion; and First Robotics, where members compete against other schools with industrial-sized robots.
Pickleball and golf in town, day trips to Clark’s Hill Lake
Clark’s Hill Lake is a popular Georgia recreational spot about 50 miles from Thomson. It’s a go-to for fishing, boating, hiking and camping. Located within the city, the Thomson Country Club is a semi-private golf course available for year-round play, and the Thomson Family YMCA offers an outdoor pool and indoor fitness classes. The Brickyard, the city’s football stadium where Thomson High’s football team plays, has pickleball courts on its grounds, which are free and open to the public.
Shopping, dining and services throughout the city
Thomson’s small, walkable downtown district has locally owned shops and restaurants. Fernanda’s Grill and Pizzeria is a long-time favorite for its Italian classics. Additional local spots are throughout the city, including Pigg-Ah-Boo’s, which serves barbecue and Kent’s Drive-In, popular for its home-style American dishes. Various services and national chains like Walmart and Dollar General are along major thoroughfares. Piedmont McDuffie Hospital is the city’s medical center, and five additional hospitals are in Augusta.
Annual events include blues music and fox hunting
The Blind Willie McTell Music Festival is one of the city's most popular annual events. It takes place in September and brings in blues and bluegrass musicians for a day of live performances. Each November, residents from across the state gather for the Belle Meade Fox Hunt, especially its opening day “Tally Ho” tailgate of pickup trucks and horseback riders.
Highways keep residents moving, severe weather can be an issue
Residents get around by car. U.S. Routes 278 and 78 run through the city and connect to Interstate 20 to the north and Augusta to the east. The closest airport is Augusta Regional, which has regular flights to Atlanta plus several other hubs like Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Despite being inland, Thomson was hit by Hurricane Helene in 2024 and is sometimes vulnerable to severe weather, including flooding and tornadoes.
